BURBANK, CA--(Marketwire - May 24, 2011) - On May 12th, Josh Groban launched the North American leg of his 2011 "Straight To You" World Tour and is receiving some of the best reviews of his career. With a set designed by the award-winning British multi-media creative and digital agency Knifedge, which has pioneered the use of projection with live theater events, the tour gives fans the feeling of an intimate theater setting through stage design, lighting, and projection, as well as through the spontaneity and interactivity Groban delighted his fans with during last year's "Before We Begin" shows. Groban is not only performing an ever-changing set-list of fan favorites from his best-selling albums and his recent platinum-seller Illuminations, he is also taking questions from the audience via text, which concert-goers are given instructions on how to send before and during each show. "Groban's genuine boy-next-door demeanor in the midst of violins, french horns, percussion, cello, piano, guitars, bass and drums makes him and his music all the more endearing. He appears truly comfortable performing, like it's his second home." - The Dallas Morning News
"Listening to Groban's commanding tenor navigate 'Oceano' and 'Alla Luce,' for example, was to us the same as admiring a painting at the Museum of Fine Arts -- it wasn't necessary to understand the lyrics to understand the song. ... Sometimes beauty, in and of itself, can be both motive and reward. And regardless of the context you're coming from, it can be pretty inspirational, too." - Houston Press
"Groban has boyish charm that belies his big voice. If you want to dismiss him as popera, be my guest; but do take a moment to listen to his voice sometime, just for its qualities and tone, and tell me it doesn't draw you in." -Dallas Voice
"Impeccable vocals, wit, make Groban concert memorable. Groban proved to be quite the showman, but his vocals truly made the show memorable. He managed to belt powerful and enunciated lyrics, then quickly switch to a soothing falsetto. Few performers have the ability to perform that way live without a hitch." - Wichita Eagle
"That had been one of the purposes of the stage set created for his 'Straight To You' tour -- to allow for more interaction between Groban and his fans, whether it be answering questions audience members could text in before the show or getting down among the adoring. But it's simply the case of a talented artist putting his instrument to its best and most effective use. And Groban sings with such obvious emotion and sincerity -- not to mention skill -- that it's difficult not to be won over." - Tulsa World
